Utilities: Billing Jo Swinson To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many representations his Department has received opposing surcharges imposed by utilities companies on customers who choose not to pay bills by direct debit. Malcolm Wicks [holding answer 20 June 2008]: This Department has identified about 50 representations to Ministers on the issue of surcharges added to the bills of customers of communications companies who pay by means other than direct debit.